When I started writing, I was not a writer.  In fact, I still don’t feel like a writer.  I am self-conscious every time I write a letter to my kids’ English teachers.  Nonetheless, here I am writing.  It all started about 10 years ago.  At this time in my life I felt God tugging on my heart to write a Bible study.  I had several conversations with God about this tug, because it seemed misplaced.  I did not have the background necessary for writing a Bible study. 

One by one I openly laid out my concerns before the Lord.  I was willing, but uneasy.  Although I love studying God’s Word and His ways, I have no formal degree or education in English or theology.  Also, I had a newborn and a two-year-old.  Clearly, this was not a stage of life that was conducive to writing.  Finally, my background was engineering, not writing.  Engineers are not known for their writing skills!  I loved numbers and spreadsheets and charts, not words.  I get tied up in words.

As I voiced my concerns, I felt as if they dissolved as I spoke them.  God continued to tug on my heart, impressing on me that He was bigger than any of those hurdles.  So, I began writing.  I stole moments here and there during nap times and other rare free times.  Our church’s director of women’s ministry graciously allowed me to use the weekly women’s Bible study time and childcare to hide away and write.  It took three years of writing, but it finally got written.  This is a story that continues to this very day, as I am currently pursuing publishing.

God will call us to do something that makes us want to ask, “Are you sure you have the right person?”  Most likely that will happen several times throughout our lives.  It could be in little things, such as simply approaching someone, or it could be in big things that affect your very livelihood.  God never requires blind obedience.  He honors honest questions and those who seek His heart in a matter.  But, at a certain point, understanding and faith meet.  What I mean is that we will never be able to understand or know everything.  We won’t have all the answers before we need to begin.  That’s why it’s called a “leap of faith.”  At some point, equipped with what you have and know, you just need to jump.

Here’s a question that I heard recently that really drove this point home for me.  What is the difference between the Titanic and the ark?  The Titanic was built by professionals, while the ark was built by an amateur.  Let that thought sink in. 

Noah wasn’t a shipbuilder.  He built a ship on dry land without any body of water nearby!  Yeah, people thought he was crazy!  I wonder if Noah ever asked or wanted to ask God, “Are you sure about this?”  Time after time we see stories of God calling people into something that is way beyond their means.  This is true in the Bible and it’s true in the lives of His people today.  He will call us into the impossible.  He is the God that makes the impossible, possible.  He has no limits.

I would love to brainstorm with you about why God does this!  No doubt there are many reasons.  A few come to my mind now.  He includes us in His work.  God wants us to understand that the accomplishments are possible only through His power.  People can witness God’s perfect power when we hand over our imperfection. 

This reminds me of Acts 4:13:

When they [the members of the Sanhedrin] saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Let’s be like that!  God uses the ordinary to do extraordinary things.

In our scriptures this week I have included 5 stories of God using the outcast, the timid, the inexperienced, the estranged, and those of low position to fulfill His purpose on this earth.  If you don’t feel adequate, GOOD!  God will use you to do wonderful things in His kingdom.

Exodus 3:7-4:17
– How many questions does Moses bring up over the course of this meeting?
– How does Moses conclude (4:13)?
– Notice the sign that God gives Moses in 3:12.  What do you find interesting about its timing?
Judges 6:11-7:22
– How is the angel’s greeting in 6:12 contrary to what is observed in 6:11?
– Why does God thin out the army?
Jeremiah 1:4-19
– What concerns does Jeremiah raise in regards to His call?
– How does God address those concerns?
Luke 1:11-20; 26-38
– What does comparing these two accounts tell you about asking questions?
– What was the purpose of Gabriel’s answer in v35-36 (did she then understand)?
Genesis 6:13-7:5
– What are we told about Noah’s two responses to God’s call?
– Think about all the work, planning, and time required to be able to make those two simple statements.